Police detective responsible for domestic violence cases found guilty of drunkenness towards own partner after drunken, bottomless brunch

A senior police officer handling domestic violence cases has been found guilty of drunkenly throwing a tantrum towards his partner following a bottomless brunch.

Detective Inspector Mark Portelli, 45, subjected his partner to a series of verbal abuse after he was kicked out of Canvas nightclub in Bournemouth, Dorset, in the early hours of March 31 this year.

The officer, who served 19 years in the force, had drunk cocktails and prosecco during a bottomless boozy brunch earlier in the day, before shouting “you stupid fucking bitch”.

Portelli was arrested by officers from the same police force he works in after he swore at his girlfriend and even called her a “c***t”.

Today, after a day-long trial at Southampton Magistrates’ Court in Hampshire, the Dorset Police officer was found guilty of using threatening or abusive words likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Portelli from Poole, Dorset, who works in Dorset Police’s domestic violence unit, was also accused of assaulting three members of staff at the nightclub, but the charges were withdrawn in court today .

He was fined £500 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £620 and a victim surcharge of £200.

Portelli argued his offensive comments were directed at himself and not his partner, but District Judge Anthony Callaway rejected his argument.

Sentencing DI Portelli, Judge Callaway said: “I accept it was an aberration, you let yourself down.

“The public expects officers to lead by example and you have failed to do so.”

Portelli told the court he consumed several cocktails and glasses of prosecco at the bottomless brunch, a meal where guests enjoy unlimited alcoholic drinks for a set period of time, before going to another bar where he continued to drink.

He said the incident was an “unfortunate outburst” and that he was annoyed with himself.

Portelli said: “I wasn’t looking to achieve anything, it was an unfortunate outburst.

“Even though I looked in my partner’s direction, it wasn’t directed at her. I was annoyed with myself.

Portelli was also involved in a similar case in 2019 when one of his subordinates, Detective Constable David Alway, was accused of pushing his wife to the ground during an argument.

Judge Callaway outlined the case, saying his expulsion from Canvas and his arrest on March 31 this year had “no relation” to the subsequent offending.

“There was an incident within the club which led to the arrest (of DI Portelli) involving common assault against three named individuals who worked for the club,” he said.

“That may have led to the arrest, but it had nothing to do with this incident.

“He started drinking at five in the afternoon, he consumed a large quantity of drink, no offense.

“PC (Luke) Booth and PC (Robert) Cleary were deployed to an incident, Portelli was arrested.

“According to PC Cleary, he said ‘you stupid fucking bastard’ as he turned towards the nightclub and commented ‘you stupid fucking bitch, stupid fucking cunt’.

“The accused was arrested and questioned, he was annoyed by the arrest and said the comments were not directed at any party.

“I believe they were directed at a particular person, the statements were offensive and made over a specific period of time while (DI Portelli) was being arrested and on that basis I find him guilty.”

Speaking after the hearing, Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said: “DI Portelli’s actions on the night in question were clearly well below expectations for the behavior of our officers and our staff. We took swift action to arrest, suspend and investigate the officer.

“Members of the public rightly expect that our officers and staff will strive to adhere to the highest standards in their behavior, even when they are off duty.

“I know our own officers and staff will also feel very let down by a fellow officer who has jeopardized the trust the public places in us.”

She also added that Portelli will now face misconduct proceedings.

The assault charges against Portelli were withdrawn by the prosecution because the alleged victims, three members of the nightclub staff, were not present at the trial.